‘Current thinking’ – That’s the best way to describe electric vehicles. The automotive world is totally focused on making the very latest models move using electrons instead of fossil fuels, and the move to EV transport is gradually gaining momentum.
But what if you want to take a tourer with you during your switch to electric power? You’ll be looking at the best electric tow cars. When you’re researching EVs, the BMW iX SUV is one of your options, and there are now plenty available on the used marketplace.
What’s a used BMW iX like inside?
A used BMW iX is the sort of car that even Hagrid would find quite spacious. It’s enormous, so that the two people in the front seats get a huge amount of space to relax in, which can be a welcome feature when you’re looking for the best used car for towing a caravan.
And such is the amount of adjustment for everything, finding a comfortable driving position is simple.
The only slight blot on the landscape is the fixed position of the front seat headrest – these can be quite uncomfortable if you’re of slightly shorter stature.
As for those in the rear seats, there’s a similarly vast amount of space on offer for three occupants; indeed, the car’s wide enough for three to sit abreast without ever coming into contact with each other, which is useful if you have moody teenagers in tow.
There’s no seven-seater tow car option, but the boot is a decent size – although you have to lift stuff a fair way off the ground to get it into the load area.
The cabin is very tech heavy, with a central touchscreen operating most of the car’s systems; this includes ventilation, but there’s also a voice control system. The BMW iDrive controller also sits between the front seats.
Everything feels superbly put together, just as you’d expect of a BMW.
Take a look at our more recent review of a BMW too, the BMW 530e M Sport Pro Touring, a pricey but impressive towing vehicle.
How does a used BMW iX drive?
The electric powertrain of the xDrive40 model offers 321bhp, four-wheel drive and a 76.6kWh battery, which can officially do 264 miles on a charge. That’s probably a real-world 190 miles on a warm day.
There’s also an xDrive50 model that offers 516bhp and a range of 280 miles, then an M60, with more performance but the same range.
The xDrive40 we’ve tested offers a maximum towing weight of 2500kg, and feels suitably strong off the mark, even with a caravan in tow.
The sheer heft of the iX also means that it barely notices a tourer behind it, and the four-wheel drive makes hill starts simple.
However, when towing, the range of the iX isn’t great. During our test in colder temperatures, we reckoned you’d be lucky to get around 120 miles on a charge. You’re also going to have to factor in charging an EV while towing a caravan, as well.
Other versions would likely do better, but depending on how often you tow, that could be a deal-breaker.
You can find out more about a specific model by taking a look at our review of the 2022 BMW iX xDrive40 Sport.
What to pay for a used BMW iX
- High: Price: £71,500; model: M60; year: 2025; miles: 2512
- Sweet spot: price: £34,900; model: xDrive40 MSport; year: 2023; miles: 24,500
- Low: price: £26,000; model: xDrive 40 M Sport; year: 2021; miles: 74,000
What will it a used BMW iX tow?
- Kerb weight: 2440kg
- Towing limit: 2500kg
- Nose weight limit: 100kg
- 85% match: 2074kg
Running costs
- Insurance group: 47
- Annual VED: £620*
- Official range: 264 miles
- Full service: £117
(Servicing price supplied by Servicing Stop, 0844 324 5262, www.servicingstop.co.uk)
*Until the vehicle’s sixth birthday, after which VED becomes £195
BMW iX reliability
Even though the BMW iX is an EV, it has still suffered the odd recall. More than 7000 examples have been recalled for a software error that would not report an airbag fault. Then 211 examples were recalled for an assembly fault with the drive battery. Dodgy circuit board connections were found to be the cause of 28 vehicles being recalled.
A full list of recalls for this vehicle can be found at www.check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk
The verdict
The BMW iX would be a step into the unknown for most tow car owners, and you would definitely need to factor in how often you’d need to recharge.
However, if that isn’t too much of an issue for you, you’ll be getting a rapid, luxurious and roomy SUV, that could be pretty cheap to run if you charge at home.
That’s some pretty current thinking right there.
Contemplating a different type of vehicle? Then see what our expert, David Motton, has to say about the advantages and disadvantages of towing with a classic car,
Alternatives to consider
Used Audi Q7 (2015-present)
Perhaps all this talk of truncated driving ranges has given you pause for thought. Well, how about a traditional fossil-fuelled alternative in the form of an Audi Q7. The big SUV has been around for more than a decade now, so all the wrinkles have been ironed out. There’s a huge range of powertrains, from diesel to petrol to plug-in hybrid, so you’re bound to find an ideal option. Bear in mind though, that the PHEV loses the third row of seats.
Jaguar i-Pace (2018-2024)
Jaguar was at the forefront of the luxury brand’s move into the electric marketplace with the i-Pace SUV. Under the skin lies a 90kWh battery and electric motor that combine to provide an official range of 292 miles plus a power output of 395bhp. Space is generous for four, but a fifth might feel cramped. Used prices have fallen, making the Jaguar EV a bit of a bargain.
Audi E-tron (2019-2022)
The E-tron signalled that Audi was getting into the world of electric vehicles in a big way. It has good build quality, superb style, and is great to drive. However, range isn’t huge (which towing will undoubtedly have a negative impact on), so you’ll want to choose the 55 Quattro model, and there have been some reliability issues. Recalls have included one for water getting into the drive battery. causing a short circuit. Choose carefully.
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